She seemed
not quite to realise what she'd done until she reached the podium. Susanne
Ljungskog has won the World Championship Road Race for the second time -
repeating her 2002 victory in Zolder. She now holds both of the world
championship titles ever won by Sweden!

In a tight
sprint Ljungskog took the line in front of Dutchwoman Miriam Melchers. Britain's
Nicole Cooke took third beating Lithuanian Edita Pucinskaite
by a tyre-width.

An early
break by Melchers opened the race, but the attack of the race was made by
France's Jeannie Longo Ciprelli. She was away for the last lap and a half. Not
looking back, driving forward in almost a time trial position, she gained 28
seconds very quickly. Chasers went after her and slowly brought her back but she
was still 4 seconds ahead with 2km to go. Longo Ciprelli was caught within the
last kilometre, at about 300m to go. Had it not been for Melchers pulling the
chasers on, she may well have stayed away for a victory in what was her 23rd
Championship appearance. Longo Ciprelli faded when caught and matched her time
trial position of Wednesday to finish 6th again.